With 26 riders, the May 14, 2016 WE United B-Rated Competition hosted by South Ridge Farms in Ridgefield, WA, kept judge Barbara Price busy from dawn to near dusk.
The largest class, Novice Amateur, with 10 riders, was won by Cassy (Mary) Holcomb on her Quarter Horse gelding Matt Command. Joan Moore, also mounted on a Quarter Horse (Peptics Matlock) was a close second, with Heather Humelbaugh on the American Warmblood FT Sheer Perfection trailing just behind to capture third. All three top placing riders in this class earned points toward their Bronze Rider Medal in the Ease of Handling trial. Congratulations!
The Introductory Open class, with 9 riders, also saw very close competition. The winner, Nancy Finn on BKT Drifting Swinger continued the Quarter Horse winning streak, followed closely by Lizann Dunegan on Yfke Von Borstel, a Friesian mare. Susan Wall, who made the 14-hour trek all the way from Calgary, Alberta came in third place on Quarter Horse Flyin Pine Destiny.
The Canadians showed their mettle in the Novice Open class as well, where Jill Barron finished first on Nu Chex Dunit and third on Genuine Chaos, both Quarter Horses. Rob Zimmerman, on the Morgan gelding Lisa’s Captain Jack finished second in the class.
At the Intermediate level, Cari Schwartz and her Trakhener mare Exsarena swept all three trials to win the overall competition, with Jordan Banks on her Lusitano are Xena Princessa MM coming in second, and Nicole Grous on her Lusitano gelding Zar Ris coming in third.
